Have you been setting the bar impossibly high for yourself today?
When we fall short of perfection, that voice inside can quickly turn sharp, critical, and unkind. In this episode of Calming Anxiety, clinical hypnotherapist and former frontline paramedic Martin Hewlett guides you through a powerful 10-minute mindfulness session dedicated to silencing the inner critic and regulating your nervous system.Discover how to harness the power of the extended exhale to signal safety to your body, let go of stress, and gently reset your mental state.
Whether you are coping with a panic attack, daily stress, or high standards that leave you feeling overwhelmed, this session offers a gentle space to breathe, release self-criticism, and return to a place of kindness.Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Confronting the Impossibly High Bar & Your Inner Critic
00:39 – Welcome to Calming Anxiety with Martin Hewlett
01:34 – The Power of the Exhale: Shifting the Nervous System to Safety
02:03 – Guided Deep Breathing Exercise for Stress Release
03:04 – Visualizing the Color of Tension and Leaving It Behind
04:37 – 5 Powerful Affirmations for Being Present
07:40 – 3 Daily Caring Tips for a Happier, Imperfect Life
09:08 – Bringing Awareness Back to the Present Moment
09:32 – Final Insights & How to Overcome Darker Moments
10:24 – Brand Sign-off: A Daily Mirror Practice
Today's AffirmationsRepeat these internally or softly on your lips to help them sink into your body:"I am doing the best I can with what I have today, and that is genuinely enough."
"I release the need to be perfect. I choose instead to be present."
"I speak to myself with the same kindness I would offer someone I love."
"Falling short does not make me less. It makes me human, and being human is the whole point."
"Today, I begin again—not from failure, but from experience."
3 Daily Caring Tips for Self-Compassion1. Catch the Critic: The next time your inner voice turns harsh, pause and ask, "Would I say this to a friend?" If the answer is no, rewrite it in your mind using a gentler tone.
2. Lower the Bar (Just for Today): Choose one heavy burden on your to-do list and consciously decide it can wait, be changed, or be dropped entirely. Permission to be imperfect is wisdom, not failure.
3. Name One Thing You Actually Did: Stop focusing on what you missed. Count the small wins—getting up, showing up, breathing, or making a cup of tea for someone else. They all count.
Go Deeper: The Anxiety Circuit Breaker Course
If you are ready to stop just managing your anxiety and truly want to understand its root causes, the Anxiety Circuit Breaker Course is waiting for you.Built upon the exact clinical hypnotherapy techniques Martin has used to help thousands of frontline patients, this online course features five profound clinical sessions designed to rewire your response to panic, fear, and stress
.👉 Get instant access today at: calminganxiety.fmA Gentle Reminder: If this session helped you breathe a little easier today, please share it with one person who needs to give themselves a break. Until tomorrow: smile often, smile genuinely at your reflection in the mirror, and in everything... Be Kind.
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Backing Music: Chris Collins
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Affiliate links to the gear I use the items that give me a more tranquil life.
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Items I use for a more relaxed way of life :)
Organic Pure Hemp CBD Capsules - https://amzn.to/3
Ready for More Calm?Thank you for listening to the Calming Anxiety Podcast, featuring guided meditation, mindfulness, and sleep hypnosis sessions with Martin Hewlett. Our mission is to provide you with proven tools for anxiety relief, stress reduction, and a path toward deep relaxation. Use this episode anytime you need to calm your mind and feel more at ease.
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